In Today’s Newsletter:
Belle Pente Restocked!
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones – Under $20/Btl
The Return of Two Vinopolis Favorites
Black Slate Priorat and Lafage Bastide Miraflors
Don’t Forget Our Weekend Subscriber Special
Veglio Barolo, Under $25
New Vintages of Servin’s Superlative Chablis
New Austrian Arrivals
Trending
Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s Rare “Hommage” Magnums
Belle Pente Restocked!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.99
The average listed price is $57
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2016 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This Chardonnay is 100% estate grown in a little 2 acre parcel planted in 1999 on a steep slope with rows running up & down the hill from north-east to south-west. This 2016 version continues a string of very compelling wines that started with the 2004 vintage, and bears witness to the recent rebirth of exciting Chardonnays coming out of the Willamette Valley. Like many of our neighbors, we are gravitating to 100% barrel fermentation, but with very modest use of new oak, typically in the 10-20% range. The wine spends a full year in barrel and often several months in tank before bottling, and is given at least a year in the bottle before release. We have always done two harvests for Chardonnay: an early pick for fresh, citrus qualities, and a later pick for riper, tropical characteristics. In this warm 2016 vintage, the blend includes 60% from the early pick and 40% from the later pick. Echoing past vintages, this combination yields a dual personality of freshness and richness.”
Belle Pente Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We have always gravitated to a rich, ripe style of Pinot Gris inspired by the great wines of Alsace, and the warm 2015 growing season gave us exactly what we needed! Fans of innocuous, dilute, mass-produced Pinot Grigio may not find a lot to like in this wine. But if your reference point is a Grand Cru from Turckheim or Hunawihr, you’ve come to the right place!…The marine sedimentary soils of Yamhill-Carlton tend to impart a compelling savory saline quality and stony minerality to frame the apple and pear flavors and aromas of the Pinot gris grape. As per our normal protocol, roughly half of the wine is vinified and aged in wood (foudre & neutral barrel) and the other half in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation takes place slowly at cool temperatures and the wine is not bottled until right before the next harvest. It is then held for at least another year before release. The hybrid vinification, coupled with sur lie and bottle aging, creates a wine that has both richness and freshness. It is easy to enjoy on it’s own, and there is not a dish on the planet that it won’t compliment splendidly!”
Subscriber Special
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones – Under $20/Btl
Looking for another great Under $20 Bow & Arrow red? Check out their beautiful 2018 Willamette Valley Pinot.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 Subscriber Special
Winemaker Note “[W]hile this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
The Return of Two Vinopolis Favorites
Black Slate Priorat and Lafage Bastide Miraflors
Belle Pente Restocked!
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones – Under $20/Btl
The Return of Two Vinopolis Favorites
Black Slate Priorat and Lafage Bastide Miraflors
Don’t Forget Our Weekend Subscriber Special
Veglio Barolo, Under $25
New Vintages of Servin’s Superlative Chablis
New Austrian Arrivals
Trending
Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s Rare “Hommage” Magnums
Belle Pente Restocked!
It shocked us to find that we’ve never really put out a big feature on Belle Pente in the past. Certainly, we’ve highlighted some of their (deservingly high scoring) wines here and there, but we almost couldn’t believe that we haven’t done a full scale writeup on one of our best-selling and most beloved Willamette Valley producers.
Brian O’Donnell is one of the most important winemakers in the Willamette Valley. He planted the Belle Pente vineyard in the mid-90’s and has been one of the best producers ever since, harnessing the inherent power of his site while giving the wines elegance and grace. That set of traits, combined with a commitment to bottle-aging before release, has created a strong following in both Portland’s restaurant community and at-home drinkers.
The (organically farmed) estate vineyard is located in the heart of Yamhill-Carlton, and the AVA’s characteristic power and richness inform most of these wines (save the excellent, Dundee Hills based Murto Vineyard, a mainstay since ’97). Brian manages to ride the line between substantial Pinot and pretty elegance, making for wines that are thrilling to drink at all stages of their life. He’s also a master of richer, Alsatian inspired whites that have an equal track record of aging.
We’re excited to have restocked on a wide swath of the Belle Pente wines, perfect for drinking today, or an extend sleep in your cellar.
In Stock Now:
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Deep, bright-rimmed red. A highly complex bouquet evokes red berry preserve and cherry aromas, along with sexy Asian spice, rose oil and smoky mineral accents. Shows impressive delineation on the palate, offering concentrated, spice-tinged red fruit liqueur, cola and spicecake flavors that pick up a strong floral pastille nuance with air. Finishes extremely long and pure, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip to lingering raspberry and bitter chocolate notes.”
Brian O’Donnell is one of the most important winemakers in the Willamette Valley. He planted the Belle Pente vineyard in the mid-90’s and has been one of the best producers ever since, harnessing the inherent power of his site while giving the wines elegance and grace. That set of traits, combined with a commitment to bottle-aging before release, has created a strong following in both Portland’s restaurant community and at-home drinkers.
The (organically farmed) estate vineyard is located in the heart of Yamhill-Carlton, and the AVA’s characteristic power and richness inform most of these wines (save the excellent, Dundee Hills based Murto Vineyard, a mainstay since ’97). Brian manages to ride the line between substantial Pinot and pretty elegance, making for wines that are thrilling to drink at all stages of their life. He’s also a master of richer, Alsatian inspired whites that have an equal track record of aging.
We’re excited to have restocked on a wide swath of the Belle Pente wines, perfect for drinking today, or an extend sleep in your cellar.
In Stock Now:
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Deep, bright-rimmed red. A highly complex bouquet evokes red berry preserve and cherry aromas, along with sexy Asian spice, rose oil and smoky mineral accents. Shows impressive delineation on the palate, offering concentrated, spice-tinged red fruit liqueur, cola and spicecake flavors that pick up a strong floral pastille nuance with air. Finishes extremely long and pure, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip to lingering raspberry and bitter chocolate notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.99
The average listed price is $57
Belle Pente ‘Belle Pente Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($41.95) $37 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Shimmering red. Powerful aromas of fresh red berries, cherry pit, blood orange and minerals, with a touch of licorice adding depth. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering densely packed black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight and pick up a spicy topnote with air. Shows very good breadth and seamless texture, finishing with impressive clarity, harmonious tannins and a lingering red fruit preserve quality.”
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red/blue fruits, potpourri, baking spices and candied rose. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors that are highlighted by a zesty mineral note. Intensely flavored and sharply delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating floral character.”
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This 2017 version of our ultimate “week-night wine” is a classic (and classy!) blend of 50% each Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton fruit. For those of you with a Burgundian bent, that is like like having a “simple” Bourgogne Rouge with all the fruit sourced exclusively from vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertain and Vosne-Romanee!…As our first 2017 Pinot to be released, this wine provides an intriguing introduction to this terrific vintage. A Pinot with pedigree, the 2008 and 2013 renditions were the highest rated wines in the New York Times annual Oregon Pinot “round-up”, and the best values. Our Willamette Valley bottling has been regularly featured as a premium glass pour Pinot at great restaurants around the country. And it has been the “go to” Wednesday night wine for savvy Pinot-philes everywhere since it’s first release in the 1998 vintage.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Shimmering red. Powerful aromas of fresh red berries, cherry pit, blood orange and minerals, with a touch of licorice adding depth. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering densely packed black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight and pick up a spicy topnote with air. Shows very good breadth and seamless texture, finishing with impressive clarity, harmonious tannins and a lingering red fruit preserve quality.”
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red/blue fruits, potpourri, baking spices and candied rose. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors that are highlighted by a zesty mineral note. Intensely flavored and sharply delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating floral character.”
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This 2017 version of our ultimate “week-night wine” is a classic (and classy!) blend of 50% each Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton fruit. For those of you with a Burgundian bent, that is like like having a “simple” Bourgogne Rouge with all the fruit sourced exclusively from vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertain and Vosne-Romanee!…As our first 2017 Pinot to be released, this wine provides an intriguing introduction to this terrific vintage. A Pinot with pedigree, the 2008 and 2013 renditions were the highest rated wines in the New York Times annual Oregon Pinot “round-up”, and the best values. Our Willamette Valley bottling has been regularly featured as a premium glass pour Pinot at great restaurants around the country. And it has been the “go to” Wednesday night wine for savvy Pinot-philes everywhere since it’s first release in the 1998 vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2016 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This Chardonnay is 100% estate grown in a little 2 acre parcel planted in 1999 on a steep slope with rows running up & down the hill from north-east to south-west. This 2016 version continues a string of very compelling wines that started with the 2004 vintage, and bears witness to the recent rebirth of exciting Chardonnays coming out of the Willamette Valley. Like many of our neighbors, we are gravitating to 100% barrel fermentation, but with very modest use of new oak, typically in the 10-20% range. The wine spends a full year in barrel and often several months in tank before bottling, and is given at least a year in the bottle before release. We have always done two harvests for Chardonnay: an early pick for fresh, citrus qualities, and a later pick for riper, tropical characteristics. In this warm 2016 vintage, the blend includes 60% from the early pick and 40% from the later pick. Echoing past vintages, this combination yields a dual personality of freshness and richness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Belle Pente Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We have always gravitated to a rich, ripe style of Pinot Gris inspired by the great wines of Alsace, and the warm 2015 growing season gave us exactly what we needed! Fans of innocuous, dilute, mass-produced Pinot Grigio may not find a lot to like in this wine. But if your reference point is a Grand Cru from Turckheim or Hunawihr, you’ve come to the right place!…The marine sedimentary soils of Yamhill-Carlton tend to impart a compelling savory saline quality and stony minerality to frame the apple and pear flavors and aromas of the Pinot gris grape. As per our normal protocol, roughly half of the wine is vinified and aged in wood (foudre & neutral barrel) and the other half in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation takes place slowly at cool temperatures and the wine is not bottled until right before the next harvest. It is then held for at least another year before release. The hybrid vinification, coupled with sur lie and bottle aging, creates a wine that has both richness and freshness. It is easy to enjoy on it’s own, and there is not a dish on the planet that it won’t compliment splendidly!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Subscriber Special
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones – Under $20/Btl
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones bottling, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, has probably done more to define their style and the style of the “New Oregon” than any other. Juicy, fresh and slightly peppery (from the Gamay) it’s a red wine that manages to refresh with ease. We sell a lot of it, for good reason—it’s a wine that manages to pair with nearly anything, or be delicious on its own. Plus, it’s well priced (under $25) and local, two big perks. It’s become one of winemaker Scott Frank’s signature bottlings, representing his outside-the-box thinking and exceptional craftsmanship.
To make a good thing even better, we’re dropping the price on this Vinopolis favorite—it’s now under $20. We want to move a lot of this wine to help Scott out (and because it’s fantastic). He sells most of his wines through restaurants, whose business has been decimated, and so we jumped at the chance to take a bunch off his hands and offer it to you at a fantastic price. This is a great wine to stock up on while you self-quarantine and remember—we’ve always got $25 flat rate shipping to California, plus free Oregon shipping on orders over $120 through the end of April.
In Stock Now:
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 Subscriber Special
Winery Note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
To make a good thing even better, we’re dropping the price on this Vinopolis favorite—it’s now under $20. We want to move a lot of this wine to help Scott out (and because it’s fantastic). He sells most of his wines through restaurants, whose business has been decimated, and so we jumped at the chance to take a bunch off his hands and offer it to you at a fantastic price. This is a great wine to stock up on while you self-quarantine and remember—we’ve always got $25 flat rate shipping to California, plus free Oregon shipping on orders over $120 through the end of April.
In Stock Now:
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 Subscriber Special
Winery Note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
The average listed price is $27
The next best price is $24.99
The average listed price is $27
Looking for another great Under $20 Bow & Arrow red? Check out their beautiful 2018 Willamette Valley Pinot.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 Subscriber Special
Winemaker Note “[W]hile this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $23
The next best price is $23
The Return of Two Vinopolis Favorites
Black Slate Priorat and Lafage Bastide Miraflors
We just received new vintages of two of our best-selling big reds—the classic Black Slate Priorat “Porrera” and mainstay Lafage Bastide Miraflors. Both wines are big, powerful and resonant, as well as excellent value. There’s a reason both the Bastide Miraflors and the Black Slate series have been some of the top sellers in Vinopolis history and we’re excited to have the new iterations back in stock!
In Stock Now:
Black Slate Porrera, Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Black Slate Porrera, Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Black Slate Porrera comes from a project of importer Eric Solomon focusing on the specific villages in the Priorat. The 2016 is 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan that was mostly destemmed and spent a full year in used barrels. Thrilling blue fruits, tar, rose petals, and a smoky, marine, iodine-like character all emerge from this full-bodied effort that opens up nicely with time in the glass. Tasting like it cost three times the price, it picks up more minerality with time in the glass, has beautiful balance, and great purity of fruit. It would be hard to find a better value. Drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years.”
Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2017 750ML ($249.95) $175 special (that’s only $14.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A blend of 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache that was brought in a mix of tank and used barrels, the 2017 Bastide Miraflors has a fabulous minerality as well as terrific kirsch, black raspberry, wild fennel, white pepper, and hints of black licorice aromas and flavors. Pure, medium to full-bodied, silky, and seamless on the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, and way over-delivers. Drink it over the coming 2-3 years.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2017 Cotes du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is a 70-30 blend of Syrah and Grenache, aged in a combination of tanks and barriques. It has some Ribena-like aromas, then delivers waves of ripe cassis and blackberries. Full-bodied and concentrated, it remains fresh and streamlined on the palate, finishing in a soft flurry of dusty tannins.”
Looking for a few other recently-restocked Vinopolis favorites? Check out these two Spanish gems, both just arrived and ready for drinking today.
In Stock Now:
Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91 points “The regional red blend 2018 Camins del Priorat was produced with grapes from 101 plots from eight villages in Priorat and wants to represent the overall character of the zone. It’s a blend of 35% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak vats and matured in barrique and oak vats for four to six months. It’s young and fruit-driven with some herbal hints from the French grapes, which were picked early, intermixed with licorice and fennel. It’s nicely textured, happy and fresh, juicy, clean and with no noticeable oak. It has a modern and clean profile. The tannins are soft and round. It’s like a more concentrated version of 2016 and 2014, both cool years. Easy to drink and very pleasant. 236,000 bottles produced.”
Dominio de Pingus ‘PSI’, Ribera del Duero 2017 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 36 bottles in stock now
In Stock Now:
Black Slate Porrera, Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Black Slate Porrera, Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Black Slate Porrera comes from a project of importer Eric Solomon focusing on the specific villages in the Priorat. The 2016 is 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan that was mostly destemmed and spent a full year in used barrels. Thrilling blue fruits, tar, rose petals, and a smoky, marine, iodine-like character all emerge from this full-bodied effort that opens up nicely with time in the glass. Tasting like it cost three times the price, it picks up more minerality with time in the glass, has beautiful balance, and great purity of fruit. It would be hard to find a better value. Drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years.”
Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2017 750ML ($249.95) $175 special (that’s only $14.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A blend of 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache that was brought in a mix of tank and used barrels, the 2017 Bastide Miraflors has a fabulous minerality as well as terrific kirsch, black raspberry, wild fennel, white pepper, and hints of black licorice aromas and flavors. Pure, medium to full-bodied, silky, and seamless on the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, and way over-delivers. Drink it over the coming 2-3 years.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2017 Cotes du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is a 70-30 blend of Syrah and Grenache, aged in a combination of tanks and barriques. It has some Ribena-like aromas, then delivers waves of ripe cassis and blackberries. Full-bodied and concentrated, it remains fresh and streamlined on the palate, finishing in a soft flurry of dusty tannins.”
Looking for a few other recently-restocked Vinopolis favorites? Check out these two Spanish gems, both just arrived and ready for drinking today.
In Stock Now:
Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91 points “The regional red blend 2018 Camins del Priorat was produced with grapes from 101 plots from eight villages in Priorat and wants to represent the overall character of the zone. It’s a blend of 35% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak vats and matured in barrique and oak vats for four to six months. It’s young and fruit-driven with some herbal hints from the French grapes, which were picked early, intermixed with licorice and fennel. It’s nicely textured, happy and fresh, juicy, clean and with no noticeable oak. It has a modern and clean profile. The tannins are soft and round. It’s like a more concentrated version of 2016 and 2014, both cool years. Easy to drink and very pleasant. 236,000 bottles produced.”
Dominio de Pingus ‘PSI’, Ribera del Duero 2017 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Don’t want to stop in?
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you, please let us know
their name when placing your order.)
#503-223-6002
Weekend Subscriber Special
What’s Better Than Under $30 Barolo?
The Same Barolo, Under $25
Veglio Michelino is a new producer to us here, despite their long and venerable history. How they escaped our notice for such a long time, we don’t know (we’ll blame their local distribution), but when we found out they made a well scoring (92 point) traditional Barolo for under $30, we were all in. The wine’s been selling well for a few weeks, but to put it in even more glasses, we’re dropping the price to just $24. That’s right—a well made Barolo from a great vintage, under $25. This is something you’re going to want to go long on, and quickly. This price only lasts until Sunday at 6PM (or we run out, which is a possibility with less than ten cases left in stock).
Subscriber Special Pricing Valid Until Sunday, March 29th at 6PM (PT)
In Stock Now
Veglio Michelino & Figlio Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $24 Subscriber Special
James Suckling 92 points “Some swanky, glossy oak adds toffee aromas to the ripe red cherries. Plenty of vanilla here, too. The palate delivers a fullish and round impression with plenty of oak again in the mix. Praline and ripe red cherries in abundance here. Try from 2022.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Subscriber Special Pricing Valid Until Sunday, March 29th at 6PM (PT)
New Vintages of Servin’s Superlative Chablis
Domaine Servin is one of the oldest and most prestigeous estates in Chablis, with 32 hectares of vines spread throughout the region and much of it in top vineyards. The Servin family has been in Chablis since 1654 and involved in the wine industry for much of that time. Today, Francois Servin runs the domaine with the assistance of his Australian brother-in-law, Mark Cameron.
François, while appreciating the great traditions that are very important to the Servin family, strives to modernize and improve the estate. He has resumed hand harvesting of grapes over most of the Premier Cru and all of the Grand Cru vineyards. Where necessary, he has replanted with improved Chardonnay vines. The wines are aged in a mix of stainless steel and wooden barrel, depending on the cuvee, and bottled without filtration—this is an estate that has made a wholesale commitment to quality and it shows in the wines.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Domaine Servin Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots is also a success, offering up aromas of preserved peach, lemon confit and fresh citrus zest. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, textural and saline, with excellent purity and length. It’s a gourmand but elegant Blanchots that retains plenty of site personality.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2016 Chablis Blanchots Grand Cru has a clean and precise, quite granitic bouquet, tightly wound but focused. The palate is well balanced with good depth, quite primal at the moment with a terse, saline finish. It just needs to loosen-up by the time of bottling.”
François, while appreciating the great traditions that are very important to the Servin family, strives to modernize and improve the estate. He has resumed hand harvesting of grapes over most of the Premier Cru and all of the Grand Cru vineyards. Where necessary, he has replanted with improved Chardonnay vines. The wines are aged in a mix of stainless steel and wooden barrel, depending on the cuvee, and bottled without filtration—this is an estate that has made a wholesale commitment to quality and it shows in the wines.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Domaine Servin Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots is also a success, offering up aromas of preserved peach, lemon confit and fresh citrus zest. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, textural and saline, with excellent purity and length. It’s a gourmand but elegant Blanchots that retains plenty of site personality.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2016 Chablis Blanchots Grand Cru has a clean and precise, quite granitic bouquet, tightly wound but focused. The palate is well balanced with good depth, quite primal at the moment with a terse, saline finish. It just needs to loosen-up by the time of bottling.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Servin Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The 2018 Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru is rich and ample in feel, with plenty of textural resonance that envelops a core of apricot, passion fruit, peach, lemon confit, vanillin and white flowers. Medium in body and supple, the 2018 offers quite a bit of immediacy. This is an especially generous, exotic style, and yet the 2018 was done entirely in steel.”
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The 2018 Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru is rich and ample in feel, with plenty of textural resonance that envelops a core of apricot, passion fruit, peach, lemon confit, vanillin and white flowers. Medium in body and supple, the 2018 offers quite a bit of immediacy. This is an especially generous, exotic style, and yet the 2018 was done entirely in steel.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Servin Mont de Milieu, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru is silky, airy and gracious in this vintage. Orchard fruit, white flowers and mint all develop in this very pretty Chablis. In this vintage, the Mont de Milieu feels just a bit soft, but in exchange that gives the wine a good bit of immediacy. Exotic floral notes add flair on the expressive, inviting finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This starts out light, gaining concentration as the lemon, apple and lanolin flavors pick up speed and converge on the vibrant finish. Shows fine balance, length and expression, with elements of flint and mineral. Best from 2020 through 2025. 40 cases imported.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. A ripe and softly exotic nose offers up excellent Chablis typicity with its aromas of tidal pool, shellfish and iodine. The rich, forward and caressing flavors display a preponderance of citrus elements on the mineral-steeped, clean and notably dry finish. This super-saline effort possesses much better overall depth and should reward up to a decade of cellaring.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu reveals attractive scents of fresh peach, honeycomb, iodine and smoke. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a gourmand, concentrated core of fruit, concluding with a saline finish. It’s one of the more impactful, immediate premiers crus in the Servin range this year, and it has put on considerable weight in the last 12 months.”
Domaine Servin Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2017 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru is soft, pretty and easy to drink young. I would have liked to see a bit more persistence. Overall this is an especially open-knit, easy going wine Chablis with good energy and brightness. My feeling is that it will benefit great from another year or two in bottle. Bright saline notes infuse the finish with lovely tension and energy that balances the more forward quality of the fruit.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre confirms its strong showing from barrel, opening in the glass to reveal notes of green apple, pear, beeswax and orange rind. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with good depth and tension, lively acids and a fragrant finish.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. A beautifully layered nose combines notes of sea breeze and iodine with those of white flowers, pear and mineral reduction. The sleek, intense and wonderfully refined flavors flash plenty of minerality and dry extract, both of which are present on the strikingly long and palate coating finish. This is presently prettier than it is deep though there is more than sufficient underlying material for this to gradually develop better complexity.”
Domaine Servin Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “One of the most reserved and serious wines in the range, the 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses offers up notes of dried flowers, beeswax, lemon oil, mandarin and rock salt, framed by light reduction. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, saline and mineral, with a deep, tight-knit core and a long, youthfully grippy finish. It’s a wine that will appeal to purists.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2016 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru is a step up from the Blanchot – a complex array of scents with green apple, oyster shell and a light sea spray influence coming through. The palate is well balanced with sappy green fruit on the entry, with a clean and precise finish that bodes well for the future. Excellent.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru is silky, airy and gracious in this vintage. Orchard fruit, white flowers and mint all develop in this very pretty Chablis. In this vintage, the Mont de Milieu feels just a bit soft, but in exchange that gives the wine a good bit of immediacy. Exotic floral notes add flair on the expressive, inviting finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This starts out light, gaining concentration as the lemon, apple and lanolin flavors pick up speed and converge on the vibrant finish. Shows fine balance, length and expression, with elements of flint and mineral. Best from 2020 through 2025. 40 cases imported.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. A ripe and softly exotic nose offers up excellent Chablis typicity with its aromas of tidal pool, shellfish and iodine. The rich, forward and caressing flavors display a preponderance of citrus elements on the mineral-steeped, clean and notably dry finish. This super-saline effort possesses much better overall depth and should reward up to a decade of cellaring.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu reveals attractive scents of fresh peach, honeycomb, iodine and smoke. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a gourmand, concentrated core of fruit, concluding with a saline finish. It’s one of the more impactful, immediate premiers crus in the Servin range this year, and it has put on considerable weight in the last 12 months.”
Domaine Servin Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2017 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru is soft, pretty and easy to drink young. I would have liked to see a bit more persistence. Overall this is an especially open-knit, easy going wine Chablis with good energy and brightness. My feeling is that it will benefit great from another year or two in bottle. Bright saline notes infuse the finish with lovely tension and energy that balances the more forward quality of the fruit.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre confirms its strong showing from barrel, opening in the glass to reveal notes of green apple, pear, beeswax and orange rind. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with good depth and tension, lively acids and a fragrant finish.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. A beautifully layered nose combines notes of sea breeze and iodine with those of white flowers, pear and mineral reduction. The sleek, intense and wonderfully refined flavors flash plenty of minerality and dry extract, both of which are present on the strikingly long and palate coating finish. This is presently prettier than it is deep though there is more than sufficient underlying material for this to gradually develop better complexity.”
Domaine Servin Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “One of the most reserved and serious wines in the range, the 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses offers up notes of dried flowers, beeswax, lemon oil, mandarin and rock salt, framed by light reduction. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, saline and mineral, with a deep, tight-knit core and a long, youthfully grippy finish. It’s a wine that will appeal to purists.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2016 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru is a step up from the Blanchot – a complex array of scents with green apple, oyster shell and a light sea spray influence coming through. The palate is well balanced with sappy green fruit on the entry, with a clean and precise finish that bodes well for the future. Excellent.”
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Domaine Servin Vaucoupin, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “François Servin bought this 0.36ha parcel as recently as 2012, but it has rapidly become one of the highlights of his range. Unwooded and showing the concentration of 51-year-old vines, even in a generous year like 2018, this tastes more like a Left than a Right Bank wine, with grapefruit and wet stone flavours and racy minerality.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Chablis Vaucoupin 1er Cru is bright, precise and wonderfully lifted. Citrus peel, crushed rocks, white flowers, and mineral notes confer energy and nuance to this airy, gracious Chablis. Light on its feet yet super-expressive, the 2018 is all class. All the elements are impeccably balanced. The finish is terrific and savory.”
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New Austrian Arrivals
From the Kamptal to the Wagram, we’ve got a bunch of great new wine from Austria in stock now. From big names like Ott and Gobelsburg to names that should be bigger, like Alzinger, we’ve got a selection of the new arrivals below. Of course, you can always check out our web store to see all the options in stock and arriving soon.
In Stock Now:
Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Hohereck Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($64.95) $49 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “How inconvenient that my usual-favorite of Alzinger’s Rieslings is the one they barely make. It’s a tiny plot and they get “around 800 bottles” in a good year. Yes—bottles. All I can say, after all these years, is—from this tiny place comes one of the earth’s great wines, the terminus of every great facet of Wachau Riesling, the herbs from this, the peaches and plums from that, the mangoes from another, the smoke from yet another—all there. This `18 has its spells and angles and salts and roasts and smokes and incenses. But my shaman-riesling is still waking up from his psilocybin dream. Patience….”
In Stock Now:
Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Hohereck Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($64.95) $49 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “How inconvenient that my usual-favorite of Alzinger’s Rieslings is the one they barely make. It’s a tiny plot and they get “around 800 bottles” in a good year. Yes—bottles. All I can say, after all these years, is—from this tiny place comes one of the earth’s great wines, the terminus of every great facet of Wachau Riesling, the herbs from this, the peaches and plums from that, the mangoes from another, the smoke from yet another—all there. This `18 has its spells and angles and salts and roasts and smokes and incenses. But my shaman-riesling is still waking up from his psilocybin dream. Patience….”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95 points “One of the most complex and serious Gruners I’ve tried in ages, the Alzinger Smaragd Ried Steinertal is one of Austria’s Grand Cru wines…[W]inemaker Leo Alzinger is getting a lot of attention and acclaim, and this wine especially shows why with its depth and richness of body and its long dry finish…. A fanatic about pristine fruit quality and severe selections in the vineyards, Leo’s wines deliver this commitment to quality in the bottle and shine in the glass with sublime detail, energy and glorious elegance, while still having a powerful presence on the palate and charming concentration. This 2018 has a full body and generously viscous with layers of lemon/lime, white peach, quince and spiced Asian pear fruits along with saline infused rock, delicate mineral tones, rosewater and a play between leesy texture and a bit of bitter almond.…The Ried Steinertal is in a hidden cool climate zone set between steep hills and holds on with the use of majestic terraces, it is a site that develops incredibly slowly and the hang time is extremely long allowing superior ripening without high sugars making for a good retention of natural acidity and gives this Smaragd a fine balance and extra level of class…2018 is an absolutely stunning Gruner that has a unique character, inner beauty and certainly looks like a classic example. “
Terry Theise note “Super high-toned and tarragon-like; juniper and Dragonwell; markedly cool, quivering, wintergreeny. There’s a quickening here, a rush of Spring melt and the new cress by the water, piercing and yet comforting, the ice cold water will gurgle and pool and splish again and the cress will be green and sweet—but back to the matter at hand; this is fiendishly long, and masterly.”
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Weingut Bernhard Ott ‘Am Berg’ Gruner Veltliner, Wagram 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “The entry to GV is an analogue wine, all middle and umami, but in `18 it’s a super-expressive middle, along lines of Hiedler’s “Loess” though more solid and stern. For an everyday wine it’s more generally vinous than specifically varietal.”
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Schloss Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal DAC 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “A zippy version of a wine that’s always too good, perilously good; classy texture of torn silk, a finish of mizuna.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Tradition Riesling Reserve, Kamptal 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “Look, this is just heart-rendingly beautiful. The chiseled piquancy emerging from its stately beauty is hardly of-this-world. If you sometimes wonder “Have I forgotten how to love?” take a sip, and watch those old hidden lights come on.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $60
Trending
Nervi’s always been a fantastic producer and they’re taking a big step forward under Conterno.
Nervi Vigneto Molsino, Gattinara DOCG 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Roberto Conterno tells me he prefers the 2014 Gattinara Vigna Molsino over his other single-vineyard expression from the Vigna Valferana. I tend to agree given this wine’s large span of beautiful aromas. This is a deep and expressive Nebbiolo that starts with plump fruit tones and ends with drying mineral nuances. There is a touch of white pepper too. Bring this one out for pheasant or other game bird roast.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This starts out spicy and savory, with a core of cherry, strawberry, licorice and stone flavors. Consistent from beginning to end, with leather and tobacco accents on the aftertaste. Best from 2020 through 2033. 1,166 cases made.”
James Suckling 93 points “Amphitheater site, just below Monte Rosa at 400 meters. South-facing. Quite an open nose with deep blue-fruit aromas here. The fruit is ahead of the flowers, which come later with deep blue-rose-like aromas. The palate has a very elegant and supple core of lilting roses with a gently herbal edge. The tannins are so soft, so ripe and balanced. Very ethereal finish.”
The best Chardonnay Marcus has made? The best wine Marcus has made?
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Oregon 2017 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 92+ points “The Whistling Ridge Vineyard lies in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. It was first planted in 1990 (with these chardonnay vines going in the ground in 1995) and has a southeasterly exposition and sits high up on its ridge top, with cooling breezes coming in every afternoon and evening. The 2017 Richard’s Cuvée bottling reflects this cooler microclimate, coming in at 12.5 percent octane and offering up a lovely and quite floral bouquet of white peach, pear, fresh almond, lovely soil tones, white lilies and a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and very elegant in profile, with fine soil signature, a good core of fruit, bright acids and fine focus and grip on the long and complex finish. This is lovely. 2020-2040. 92+.”
Winery Note “Subtle, nuanced, beautiful, and incredibly fine; the 2017 Richard’s Cuvée was sourced from a single 820L foudre of Chardonnay from Whistling Ridge Vineyard. The wine shows extraordinary balance and layering, with lemon curd, sea air, almond blossom and delicate smoke. Forest moss, meyer lemon, summer grasses, salt stones and wild ginger. The palate has tremendous build, yet remains essentially a reflective wine.”
Nervi Vigneto Molsino, Gattinara DOCG 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Roberto Conterno tells me he prefers the 2014 Gattinara Vigna Molsino over his other single-vineyard expression from the Vigna Valferana. I tend to agree given this wine’s large span of beautiful aromas. This is a deep and expressive Nebbiolo that starts with plump fruit tones and ends with drying mineral nuances. There is a touch of white pepper too. Bring this one out for pheasant or other game bird roast.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This starts out spicy and savory, with a core of cherry, strawberry, licorice and stone flavors. Consistent from beginning to end, with leather and tobacco accents on the aftertaste. Best from 2020 through 2033. 1,166 cases made.”
James Suckling 93 points “Amphitheater site, just below Monte Rosa at 400 meters. South-facing. Quite an open nose with deep blue-fruit aromas here. The fruit is ahead of the flowers, which come later with deep blue-rose-like aromas. The palate has a very elegant and supple core of lilting roses with a gently herbal edge. The tannins are so soft, so ripe and balanced. Very ethereal finish.”
The best Chardonnay Marcus has made? The best wine Marcus has made?
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Oregon 2017 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 92+ points “The Whistling Ridge Vineyard lies in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. It was first planted in 1990 (with these chardonnay vines going in the ground in 1995) and has a southeasterly exposition and sits high up on its ridge top, with cooling breezes coming in every afternoon and evening. The 2017 Richard’s Cuvée bottling reflects this cooler microclimate, coming in at 12.5 percent octane and offering up a lovely and quite floral bouquet of white peach, pear, fresh almond, lovely soil tones, white lilies and a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and very elegant in profile, with fine soil signature, a good core of fruit, bright acids and fine focus and grip on the long and complex finish. This is lovely. 2020-2040. 92+.”
Winery Note “Subtle, nuanced, beautiful, and incredibly fine; the 2017 Richard’s Cuvée was sourced from a single 820L foudre of Chardonnay from Whistling Ridge Vineyard. The wine shows extraordinary balance and layering, with lemon curd, sea air, almond blossom and delicate smoke. Forest moss, meyer lemon, summer grasses, salt stones and wild ginger. The palate has tremendous build, yet remains essentially a reflective wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Looking for a budget version of a Keller GG? Look here.
Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 25+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($259.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling .com 96 points “Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”
Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 25+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($259.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling .com 96 points “Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay, Mount Veeder 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Chardonnay is fabulous. A vivid, textured wine, the 2016 possesses remarkable finesse and intensity in all of its dimensions. Lemon oil and white flowers are amped up by the natural intensity of these old vines. The 2016 was fermented and aged in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Mayacamas is setting a new standard for what California Chardonnay can be. Don’t miss it.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. From the mighty dry-farmed site within the secluded appellation, this incredible wine is expressive in tones of flint, fig, pear and lemon peel, with lasting acidity that brightens and freshens the palate. Medium bodied, it’s soft in feel yet structured, balanced and complex.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Chardonnay is fabulous. A vivid, textured wine, the 2016 possesses remarkable finesse and intensity in all of its dimensions. Lemon oil and white flowers are amped up by the natural intensity of these old vines. The 2016 was fermented and aged in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Mayacamas is setting a new standard for what California Chardonnay can be. Don’t miss it.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. From the mighty dry-farmed site within the secluded appellation, this incredible wine is expressive in tones of flint, fig, pear and lemon peel, with lasting acidity that brightens and freshens the palate. Medium bodied, it’s soft in feel yet structured, balanced and complex.”
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Cameron’s biggest and boldest Pinot, this is exceptional yet again in ’18.
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Fruit for this wine is sourced from White Oak Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. White Oak Vineyard was planted in 2006 and is lovingly tended by famed cider apple grower Alan Foster. Fruit from Ribbon Ridge is always intense with loads of structure in the wine. Part of this vineyard has now been planted with Martin Ray clones of Pinot noir, stay tuned for some incredible wines from this site.”
Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s Rare “Hommage” Magnums
De Montille’s Rare “Hommage” Magnums
De Montille’s Malconsorts “Cuvee Christiane” is one of the rarest, most prized wines in Burgundy. A special cuvee, it’s from a small plot of Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts that is separated from the rest of the vineyard by a foot-path and, most importantly, sits right next to La Tâche.
It’s significantly different and better than their (already excellent) Vosne Malconsorts, more than meriting its status as a separate cuvee. While Malconsorts wines are often sold as “La Tâche like,” the de Montille is one of the few bottlings that truly delivers on the comparison. From quality to rarity to pricing, this is truly Grand Cru stuff.
Due to the small production, this isn’t a wine we’re able to source every vintage. With the death of Hubert de Montille in 2015, the Christiane and the Pommard “Rugiens-Bas” were only bottled in magnum, both with a special “Hommage” neck label. These are some of the rarest and most collectible bottles of Burgundy we’ve offered in a while.
In Stock Now:
Only one magnum available
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvee Christiane, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($2,799.95) $1,899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane is 100% whole bunch matured in 65% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, perhaps a little more opaque than the regular Malconsorts, gradually opening with grey slate aromas tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannin, supremely well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long and tensile finish. Just a fabulous Malconsorts.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “(100% vendange entier; 65% new oak; from slightly heavier soil than the “regular” Malconsorts): Deep red. Much more closed on the nose than the Malconsorts, offering perfumed but slightly stunted scents of medicinal dark cherry and spices. Very rich and deep but without the screaming perfume of the first Malconsorts. But this wine is inkier, denser, chewier and even longer, with building tannins and a powerful structure to support a very long evolution in bottle. Both of these Malconsorts cuvées finished their malos very late, in September.”
It’s significantly different and better than their (already excellent) Vosne Malconsorts, more than meriting its status as a separate cuvee. While Malconsorts wines are often sold as “La Tâche like,” the de Montille is one of the few bottlings that truly delivers on the comparison. From quality to rarity to pricing, this is truly Grand Cru stuff.
Due to the small production, this isn’t a wine we’re able to source every vintage. With the death of Hubert de Montille in 2015, the Christiane and the Pommard “Rugiens-Bas” were only bottled in magnum, both with a special “Hommage” neck label. These are some of the rarest and most collectible bottles of Burgundy we’ve offered in a while.
In Stock Now:
Only one magnum available
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvee Christiane, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($2,799.95) $1,899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane is 100% whole bunch matured in 65% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, perhaps a little more opaque than the regular Malconsorts, gradually opening with grey slate aromas tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannin, supremely well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long and tensile finish. Just a fabulous Malconsorts.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “(100% vendange entier; 65% new oak; from slightly heavier soil than the “regular” Malconsorts): Deep red. Much more closed on the nose than the Malconsorts, offering perfumed but slightly stunted scents of medicinal dark cherry and spices. Very rich and deep but without the screaming perfume of the first Malconsorts. But this wine is inkier, denser, chewier and even longer, with building tannins and a powerful structure to support a very long evolution in bottle. Both of these Malconsorts cuvées finished their malos very late, in September.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Only two magnums available
Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens-Bas, Pommard Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($1199.95) $899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The re-christened 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Cuvée Hubert is 100% whole cluster fruit from Rugien-Bas, matured in 45% new oak. The grapes went through a selection process and will be labelled as “Cuvée Hubert” and will only be bottled in magnums. It has a beautiful bouquet, so pure and refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and wet limestone aromas. The palate is very well defined with a crisp line of acidity and very fine tension; the wine is very focused, a gentle grip on the finish with a long and persistent, minerally finish. I think Hubert de Montille would appreciate this.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; from the upper part of Les Rugiens-Bas): Bright, dark red. Pungent iron-like minerality and terrific floral lift to the nose. Wonderfully juicy, deeply spicy wine with compelling floral delicacy and blazing definition. Really distinctive minerality here. Finishes firmly tannic, racy and extremely long, with razor-sharp delineation. Etienne de Montille will bottle this homage to his late father Hubert entirely in magnums.”
Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens-Bas, Pommard Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($1199.95) $899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The re-christened 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Cuvée Hubert is 100% whole cluster fruit from Rugien-Bas, matured in 45% new oak. The grapes went through a selection process and will be labelled as “Cuvée Hubert” and will only be bottled in magnums. It has a beautiful bouquet, so pure and refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and wet limestone aromas. The palate is very well defined with a crisp line of acidity and very fine tension; the wine is very focused, a gentle grip on the finish with a long and persistent, minerally finish. I think Hubert de Montille would appreciate this.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; from the upper part of Les Rugiens-Bas): Bright, dark red. Pungent iron-like minerality and terrific floral lift to the nose. Wonderfully juicy, deeply spicy wine with compelling floral delicacy and blazing definition. Really distinctive minerality here. Finishes firmly tannic, racy and extremely long, with razor-sharp delineation. Etienne de Montille will bottle this homage to his late father Hubert entirely in magnums.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thanks for reading!